Internships up to a Maximum of $18,500

National Peer-To-Peer

ROMA

Training and Certification Program

Guide to

Train-the-Trainer Classroom Sessions

For Master Trainers

Guide for Master Trainers

This Guide was created to help Master Trainers as they prepare for the Classroom Session.

The Classroom Session has been compressed for 2012, into three days of intense emersion into the Introduction to ROMA Curriculum. The abbreviated format poses numerous challenges, but is necessary as we move toward more universal understanding of the basics of ROMA.

Day One of the event is the demonstration of the module segments as delivered by Master Trainers or Master Trainer Trainees. These segments are divided among the MTs. (If there are two Master Trainers, each will deliver 4 modules. As there are more MTs, the number of modules each delivers will decrease.)

Days Two and Three of the event include delivery of the module segments by the Candidates. Master Trainers provide supportive and constructive feedback to the Candidates to increase their ability to deliver the content and assure universal understanding of ROMA principles and practices.

These three days provide an opportunity for teaching the important connections among the elements of the ROMA Cycle. As we increase the number of Certified ROMA Trainers across the country, and as they step up to act as Mentors for Candidates, we project that this learning will continue in Phase III of the process (the Practice Sessions). But it is important that the Candidates leave the Classroom Session with an understanding of

In addition to the demonstration of the modules, some activities are included in the three days to increase understanding of the Logic Model.

The National ROMA Training Project will work with local host to schedule Classroom Sessions, including assisting in recruitment for Candidatesand securing the services of a sufficient number of Certified ROMA Trainerswho meet the qualifications to serve as Master Trainer,to fill the needs of the Session.

Duties of the Master Trainer are defined in the Job Description attached.

What happens first?

Master Trainer will be contacted by NPtP Project Director with a need for service. The location and dates of the proposed Classroom Session will be discussed.

Getting to know the Candidates

To help the Master Trainers get to know the Candidates, the Candidate’s e-course responses will be available. Review of the answers and comments provided by the Candidate will increase the Master Trainer’sunderstanding of the Candidate. See instructions to access Candidate e-course work attached. Reviewing the e-course may give you some ideas about Candidate strengths and possibly some areas where s/he may still have some questions. While the Mentor or Instructor has probably worked with the Candidate and should have been able to clarify any major issues, there may be some points for discussion.

Preparing for the Classroom Session

Review with the NPtP Project staff and the “host” (the person who is responsible for making all the arrangements for the session) the details for the event – such as preparing or securing manuals and workbooks, securing posters, arranging to have flip charts with extra paper and markers (that are fresh), arranging for food for the session and room set up.

Work with the NPtP Project staff to identify the module delivery for Day One of the event.

On site at the Classroom Session

Meeting with the Candidates the evening before the event has traditionally been very helpful, but not required. We always attempt to have the opportunity for Candidates and Master Trainers to gather the evening before the first day’s event. This can be for dinner or just a "check in" at the training location. Sometimes it is not possible to meet with Candidates, but it is always important for the Master Trainers to gather that evening before Day One to review the final details for the event.

The pre-Classroom Session meeting is used to accomplish several tasks: assure that the room set up is appropriate, assure that all materials and arrangements are as planned, and review the evaluation criteria for a final time.

Delivering Module Segments -- Day One

As this is the time for the Candidates to observe a well delivered module segment, it is important that the Master Trainer is clear about every element of the segment s/he is presenting. It is important that the Master Trainer covers

all key points and makes connections to material that went before and will be coming (without "giving away" the content of material that is not yet presented).

If there are any questions about how to deliver a module segment, it is always best to ask the NPtP Project Director or another Master Trainer for clarification. Elements of presentations should be clarified at least a week before the days of the Classroom Session. A final opportunity for clarification is possible when conferencing with peer during the pre-Classroom session meeting.

Taking Notes During Presentations

Two important activities that the Master Trainer engages in are: observing details of presentation to assure content is understood and covered and providing comments for improvement of performance.

MTs take notes during all presentations as a way to document the details they are observing. Following the presentation being given in the Trainer Manual is essential for this activity. A common method of note taking is to write a statement and then mark it with a "+" or "-" or other symbol system that will be a clue to you when it comes time to make comments.

For example, in the Mission segment you might have these notes:

+ good use of Drucker workbook
+provided example with element identified.
+Used four colors
+explained mission without heavy reliance on reading
- did not seem to understand the elements in the statements analyzed by the group -- mixed up service and population
+ described difference between mission change and mission drift
- did not say two times mission is changed (accomplishes, new focus)
- did not use examples of mission change from Trainer Manual
+used Key points to review prior to closing

These notes tell me that this presentation demonstrated some basic understanding of content and also of delivery. The Master Trainer would want to find out if the Candidate understands the difference between elements, or was just flustered by the interaction with the participants.

Providing Comments

It is important for the Candidates to get as much feedback about their performances as possible. We expect both comments that point out Candidate strengths and comments that indicate ways the delivery of the content may be improved. We also expect comments which clarify the essential points of a segment, the purposes of the activities, and other items that will produce a deeper understanding of the content. In addition to the evaluative nature of the comments, they must have the purpose of providing guidance to the Candidate. Remember, the candidate wants to know how to do better.

Keep in mind the guidelines for good case note recording – describe what you see and hear, rather than stating your assumptions. For example say “you had some difficulty in presenting the material clearly and completely” rather than “you didn’t know the material well enough to present it”. And it would be better to be clear about what "difficulty" you observed by saying: “you skimmed the material on pages x to y,” or “you confused the material on page x to the extent that your participants were asking for clarification.”

If you hear something that can be quoted to support your comments, please make a note of it so you can reference it. Such as “I am no good at math” when they are preparing to present a module. Or “I don’t understand this part, but it says that….” Or “Are we all confused?” These are actual comments from recently observed presentations. They are clear examples of what the candidate should NOT be saying. It is important for you to document these kinds of statements and share them, as sometimes Candidates do not "hear" themselves and need to know the impact of what they are saying.

If material is skipped, refer to the pages. If material in the manual is misquoted, make note of the error so it can be corrected.

Soliciting comments from other Candidates and Mentors

We provide the opportunity for Candidates, Mentors and Training Team to make comments. It is the job of the Master Trainer who is leading the de-briefing to keep the comments moving. Each person should only make one comment, especially in large groups. We want to give everyone a chance to comment. It will be up to the MT leading to be sure the presentation is well covered at the end and s/he may have to provide several comments to be sure that the de-briefing is meaningful.

Please ask that the comments are addressed directly to the presenter, not to you. We find that this reinforces the concept of "peers" working together fo improvement and decreases the tendency of some in the group to try to "catch" the presenter by finding errors for the "teacher."

If the entire group feels the presentation was well done, but you know it missed many key points, your final comments are essential to "fix" the understanding of the group. You should point out the strengths demonstrated by the presenter in pleasing the participants, and indicate that this is a great foundation on which to build the content details. And then proceed to identify the missing or erroneous points.

See appendix to Field Guide for Final Evaluation for more information about scoring and comments.

Assistance in Preparation

During the evenings of Days One and Two, Candidates may request assistance with preparation of their segments.

Debriefing with co-MTs and Mentors

At the end of Days Two and Three, the MTs, MTTs and Mentors gather to discuss their notes regarding the Candidates' delivery. All are encouraged to consider the Field Evaluation Criteria and the areas that will be scored as they discuss the Candidates. (A score sheet will be provided for this purpose.) Any concerns regarding the Candidates is aired during these discussions. Possible suggestions for follow up are identified.

Following the Classroom Session

MTs, MTTs and Mentors are invited to communicate with the Candidates as a follow up to the Classroom Session. Any encouragement to keep them motivated is welcome.